8 Signs You’re Ready For Another Baby

I just welcomed my 4th child into the world and, for me, it was a long time coming. I had baby fever – a strong desire for another child – for about a year before my husband wasn’t ready for another child, and so we waited until he felt ready. It felt like a really long year to me and I had a difficult time understanding why he wasn’t ready for another baby. We talked a lot during this time and we were able to outline some of the reasons another child felt overwhelming for my husband at that time and that gave us something to work on.

There was no doubt for me that I was ready for another baby. I had always wanted to have a large family and even though I thought after the birth of my third child that I would be done — about two years later that baby fever hit me hard, as baby fever can sometimes do. I won’t say that it always made total sense. I mean, thinking fondly about months without sleep, without regular showers, is totally normal, right? Wishing for more dirty diapers, less space, – and did I mention the lack of sleep? – that’s high on everyone’s list of “Fun I want to have,” isn’t it?

I had all the signs that I was ready for another baby, loud and clear. If you’re finding yourself on the fence, unsure if you want another baby or if you’re ready, there are some telltale signs. These signs show that you’re totally ready for another baby, even if you didn’t realize it.

1) Your kid just got out of diapers: Let’s face it, we all love dealing with diapers. The smell, the price, the way we always seem to run out when we’re not able to leave the house, and we can’t forget the wrestling we get to do with our kids to make them sit still long enough to change them. If you’ve found yourself recently without a diaper-wearing child at home, you’re totally ready for another baby.

2) The thought of “baby shoes” makes you instantly smile: Did you just read that and smile? It’s impossible not to get all gooey and twinkle-eyed when you think about those adorably small baby shoes. Sure, they’re kind of useless, but mini-anything is just cute. If you’re smiling now thinking about all the tiny baby items, it’s likely you’re ready for another baby.

3) You bought that expensive couch you’ve always wanted: I know it sounds like it may be a strange sign you’re ready for another baby, but that’s just how life works. You’ve been putting off getting this couch for various reasons — sticky baby fingers being one of them — but now that you’ve got that piece, you can’t stop thinking about babies. Of course, with babies come stains, but you can overlook that, right?

4) You find yourself offering to babysit … a lot: You never really were the friend who offered to babysit out of nowhere so that your friends could enjoy an evening out, but you all of a sudden do. You just want to be near babies — even the screaming kind.

5) You all of a sudden want a dog: Let’s face it, you’re not really a dog person, but you’ve found yourself in love with all the puppies lately. If this has happened to you — you’re likely dealing with baby fever more than a suddenly growing love for dogs.

6) Your child just started sleeping at night: Parents the world over wait for this milestone and sometimes we feel like it won’t ever come. If your child just started sleeping through the night and you’re now getting used to life again fully rested, you’re ready for another baby! Who needs sleep?

7) You comment on everyone’s names: If you’re finding yourself with a sudden interest in what everyone’s name is, you’re ready for another baby. You and your partner comment on which friends have the best names and which names you would never give to your child and and you realize — you’re now ready to come up with the perfect name once more.

8) Your older child seems so old now: If you have a child at home, who by all other standards is still young, yet seems so old to you, you’re now ready for another baby. You miss the days where they’re dependent on you for everything and just want to have that little newborn to love on — you’re ready. One word of advice though, when your next child is born, your older child will suddenly seem so small again.

8 Signs You’re Ready For Another Baby

Devan McGuinness is the founder of the online resource Unspoken Grief, which is dedicated to breaking the silence of perinatal grief for those directly and indirectly affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death. Using her own experience of surviving 12 miscarriages, Devan has been actively supporting and encouraging others who are wading through the challenges associated with perinatal and neonatal loss. Winner of the 2012 Bloganthropy Award ... More

21 comments

This article is funny these are not reasons at all they’re just for entertainment. You may want a dog for your little one or because you just want one. You may want to baby-sit because you love children and also to give your child someone to play with or even because you know you can give that child your baby-sitting back to the parents. I can go on and on, but the best way to know is 1. you and your partner talked it over and you both agree more than you disagree 2. search your budget and it has a few extra coins available 3. your not using any form or sort of protection you do realize that it could possible happen. And last but not lease your pregnant and your not upset…

This is ridiculous, there is no point to this “article” except to justify people having additional children. I look forward to a day when the possibility of having a child isn’t sentimentalize buy is thoughtfully approached and discussed as the serious life step it should be.

My first pregnancy was twin boys. Their daddy, my boyfriend/love of my life, wants to have another baby but I’m scared. I’m a high risk for more multiples, and since my boys were born at 29 weeks it’s even more risky (in my eyes). They are only 13 months old, so I know I’m not ready… Maybe someday…

My husband is the one with baby fever. He has a 16YR old boy, 13yr old girl, both from previous marriage. We have together a 2 1/2yr old boy and a 1yr old girl. I think he is nuts at times for even having the thought of more. However, I do feel in my heart that we’re supposed to have one more. I just keep fighting the urge to act on that feeling.

Well, it has been almost 2 months coming July 2, since I lost my son. I became pregnant in February, and my due date was supposed to be in October. This is very hard for me to get over, since I gave birth to 3 other children. My husband lost 2 babies before we married last October. But, this is new to me. I find myself thinking about our baby a lot of the times. I am back at work and taking care of the household, but when it gets quiet, that’s when I have some problems. I am nervous about trying for another baby. My OB says we can try again in September, but what if the same thing happens. My husband want a large family, but I am scared. Please help!

Sorry for your loss! I was in the same situation last year, my husband and i got pregnant in January and we lost that baby in March. I still desperately wanted a baby but was also terrified it would happen again. We were pregnant again in July, and that pregnancy went super healthily and now I have a beautiful son. The loss is still difficult… I was 9 months pregnant on the anniversary of our loss, and I cried just as hard as I did the day it happened. I did a lot of research after my loss, and learned that about 25% of women lose their first pregnancy… it is devastating, but it is far from abnormal. You’ll always love and miss that baby, just don’t let your fear stop you from having the beautiful children you are meant to have when you’re ready. Hugs and healing thoughts to you!!

Sorry for your loss. My best friend was due Oct. 2nd and lost her baby girl May 6th at 19 weeks. It’s very weird for you two to be in such similar situations. My daughters first birthday is July 2nd…prayers for you. Hug your little ones tight!

I wanted another baby for 5 years. My son was born Jan of 2009 and since then I was ready for another. Finally we conceived and I am due June of 2014. Five years was too long, the wait was unbearable. My fiance wants to stop after our third child but I want a large family and I definitely want a girl- we have one more shot at a girl and I even suggested having the sperm spun to significantly increase our chances of having a girl but he doesn’t feel comfortable with that n says we get what we get.:/ I can’t help but wonder if we weren’t having the boy he wanted if he’d feel the same way if the tables were turned… I also wonder how he’d feel if he were the one wanting a large family…

My daughter was born Jan of 2009 as well. I always said she was my first and last! Bit, I’ve started wanting another! I was expecting, but had miscarriage a few weeks ago. If it’s meant for another, it will happen. What day was your son born?

#5 and #7 are very true. and i also look at my 4 month old daughter and think of how much i want a boy now. i want her to have a sibiling. and i miss being pregnant. but i am not ready for another child yet. lol

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